Q: I was struck by the name of one of your books, You Send Me. I’ve heard that phrase a lot, especially in older R&B songs. Can you tell me a little about its origins?
A: The word “send” in the name of the book is a reference to sending e-mail. You Send Me (written with my husband, Stewart Kellerman) is about online writing. The title echoes the song “You Send Me,” originally recorded by Sam Cooke.
The song was a No.1 hit in 1957 and has been recorded by many other artists over the years, including Nat King Cole, the Drifters, the Everly Brothers, Jose Feliciano, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Percy Sledge, the Steve Miller Band, and Rod Stewart.
Charles “L.C.” Cooke (Sam Cooke’s brother) is listed as the writer of the song. Here’s how the lyrics begin:
Darling you send me
I know you send me
Darling you send me
Honest you do, honest you do
Honest you do, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.
Hope this answers your question.
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